Altmire won't vote to raise debt limit

Tuesday

May 31, 2011 at 12:01 AMMay 31, 2011 at 4:48 PM

I haven't really been tracking this debt limit stuff enough to make an informed snarky comment, but it seems to be a big deal. Actually, I could probably watch CNBC for a week straight and not understand what's happening. I chose print journalism as a career for God's sake. Nobody's ever going to mistake me for Paul Krugman. Here's what Jason had to say:

ALTMIRE TO VOTE AGAINST RAISING DEBT LIMIT

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) today issued the following statement on his decision to vote against the Debt Limit Extension Act (H.R. 1954).

"I intend to vote against raising the debt limit today because this legislation fails to make the real and immediate spending cuts needed to get our fiscal house in order. I do not want our country to default on its debts. However, for the long-term stability of our economy, the worldwide markets need to see that the U.S. Congress is willing to make the difficult decisions needed to rein in our budget deficits. This bill does not do that.

"Although increasing the debt limit does not authorize any new government programs or new spending, it does chart a path for the future. In order to prevent us from finding ourselves in this exact same situation down the road, we must enact long-term spending cuts and meaningful budget reforms now.

"The need to increase the debt limit this summer presents us with the opportunity to take steps that will put our nation on a sound fiscal path. I look forward to working with my colleagues to use this moment for real progress on our fiscal future."

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